#gwenivere bbc

[specialinterestsgalore]

Magic and Homosexuality in Merlin

As with pretty much any essay I post on here, this was mostly a minimally edited stream of consciousness. Because the show title is the same name as the main character, I tried to italicize when referring to the show and leave the text normal when referring to Merlin the character.

Merlin aired on the BBC from September 2008 through December 2012. Merlin is a retelling of the story of King Arthur, naturally focusing on Merlin, though it is certainly not in line with the typical legends of King Arthur and Merlin. In the traditional tellings, Merlin is a powerful sorcerer with almost complete knowledge of the past, present, and future (sometimes said to experience time backward), he is often the son of a demon or the devil himself, and is an ally or even court magician during the reign of Uther, Arthur’s father. In this depiction, Merlin is a young man, the same age as Arthur, born with a natural affinity for magic in a kingdom that has outlawed its use. He is sent to live with his uncle, the court physician, and becomes Prince Arthur’s servant. The concept of being forced to live with those who believe that a natural and unchangeable aspect of oneself is reprehensible or in a community that has effectively or literally outlawed this aspect is likely familiar to many members of the LGBT community. Both of the main magical characters, Merlin and Morgana, are forced to live among those who hate them for a fundamental aspect of themselves and often watch those they love insult, abuse, and even kill others like them. For LGBT people in our world and those with magic in Merlin the negative consequences of ‘coming out’ can range from social exclusion, loss of support from friends and family, homelessness, arrest, and even death. 

Merlin is thrilled to meet his uncle Gaius and learn that while he chose to stop practicing magic to remain working in the palace, Gaius had much magical experience and knowledge. Merlin is lucky enough to find his own small community in Gaius and Kilgharrah, the Great Dragon, who help guide him. His mother, Hunith, is rarely seen but she has known about Merlin’s magic for his entire life and has always supported him. Though he has chances to leave the palace and live amongst other magic users, Merlin chooses to stay due to the relationships he forged. His experiences are very reminiscent of my own growing up. I often compartmentalized my relationships with friends and family from what I knew their opinions on same-sex attraction were. One of my closest friends in high school had a ‘Take Back the Rainbow’ keychain, a movement for removing the rainbow’s association with the LGBT community, and although seeing it was an upsetting reminder that no matter how close we were I would never be able to share moments like my wedding with him we remained friends until we moved for university. Similarly, it is impossible for Merlin to share a key part of himself with any of his friends and family but he chooses to stay and deepen these relationships. 

The other main magical character in Merlin is Morgana. In this depiction, Morgana is the orphaned child of one of King Uther’s friends and allies and has been raised as Uther’s ward for most of her life. We later learn that Morgana is Uther’s biological child from an affair with her mother. Morgana was also born with magic but it presented itself much later than Merlin’s and initially, it is extremely distressing and confusing to her. If Merlin represents those who realize they are same-sex attracted at an early age and are given the support needed to become comfortable with themselves, Morgana represents those who only begin to realize their attraction in adolescence and have no support or resources to help them fully understand what is happening within them. Morgana begins to have prophetic dreams and nightmares and Gaius, being the court physician and having extensive magical knowledge, is aware that she is displaying magical abilities but neglects to use this knowledge to comfort or guide her. Though he has good intentions, Uther executes any magic users found in Camelot and would likely have little sympathy for his daughter. Gaius believes that ensuring that even Morgana does not understand her abilities will protect her from his wrath. While it likely does protect Morgana for a time, it also leads to her feeling that she has no support within the palace and feeling intense anger at those she used to consider family. An African proverb says “The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth” and Morgana is a textbook example of this. Though Gaius and Merlin attempt to support Morgana, they do so without directly letting her know how much they understand about what she is going through; Morgana can not feel their support and instead seeks out warmth from Camelot’s enemies. Her closest ally is her half-sister Morgose, a high priestess of the Old Religion, who has a (understandably) strong vendetta against Camelot and King Uther. This leads to Morgana being manipulated in some ways, though the love between the sisters is still obvious. In my opinion, this echoes how LGBT children who are not accepted by their communities are often led toward unhealthy and self-destructive coping mechanisms. LGBT youth, particularly those who are homeless or in foster care, have high rates of substance abuse and are more likely to engage in sex work or prostitution. They, like Morgana, are not given resources to help them cope with the lack of support they received in their childhood and the resulting trauma in healthy ways. This leads Morgana on a quest to destroy Camelot and those she feels have wronged her, destroying herself in the process. 

While Merlin never acknowledges the similarities between the plight of magic users and those in the LGBT community or the homoerotic tension built up between Merlin and Arthur and Morgana and Guinevere, among other characters, for many fans it is a powerful allegory. 

[honey-sweet-poet]

How many times do you think Merlin brought in breakfast for Arthur just to find an empty room and a cold bed? How many times did he stumble out of bed in the morning, going to the kitchens without a thought while the cook let him take food became she couldn't bare reminding him? How many times do you think Merlin went to go clean Arthur's room only to find it unchanged since he last entered? How many times do you think Gwen found him there after she switched rooms because she couldn't bare to be there, but when she passed by Merlin always was? How many times did Merlin light a fire or wait at the desk for Arthur, trying to forget that he wouldn't be in that room ever again?

[lolazoel]

Merlin's Titles!

(How accidentally revealing your status as a king and god may help you marry your boyfriend)

Perchance I read too many fanfics but, consider, if Arthur and the knights have found out about Merlin's magic but unaware of the extend. Let's say... they know he's a warlock and dragon lord. You know what? For the fun of it, let's make it Merthur too.

Imagine a scene, Arthur's at a banquet, already king, not married to Gwen, Lancelot is alive. The knights are joking around, drinking, Lance goes up to Gwen and Merlin who lean against a wall, chatting. Lance asks Gwen for a dance. She blushes and lets herself get dragged away. Gwain takes her place, flirting with Merlin who snickers. The song ends, Lance and Gwen return, grinning and in love. Gwain pushes himself off the wall.

Gwaine: Well, now that Gwen is back she can take care of your tasks for a moment, right?

Merlin: *nods*

Gwaine: *bows* allow me this dance, Lord Merlin?

Merlin: *blushes* That's not my title...

Arthur (who came up to them because he got jealous and also wants to ask Merlin to dance): Oh? What is your title then?

Merlin: *blushes harder* really?

Gwaine (who orchestrated the entire situation): of course, Merls, you gotta tell us the full title. How else would we know how to address you?

The room: *slowly getting quieter as more and more people listen in on the king's conversation*

Merlin: *groans* i hate you

Arthru: spit it out. Don't pretend to be interesting.

Merlin: Fiiiiineeee... Well, we got Merlin Ambrosius, Lord of Dragons... I think after Nimueh I also got Master of Life and Death... according to prophecy also Emrys, King of Druids, God of Magic... *he smiles at Arthur* and completion to the once and future king

The room: *blue screening, buffering, very silent*

Arthur: *kisses Merlin*

Gwain: Lance... did you know Merlin's a god?

Lancelot (very glad he made friends with the kid who almost got eaten by a griffon): I didn't even know about the Life and Death part... though it makes sense... his mortality was always unsure

Geoffrey Monmouth: *frantically searching for laws that make hurting Merlin illegal and make a marriage between Arthur and Merlin legal.*

According to the law loopholes define Merlin as a genderless entity, therefore marrying a god is actually legal. Attacking a noble, especially a Lord and King, is super illegal, making Merthur legally supported and haters imprisoned or dead.

I just really like the thought of Merlin revealing his titles like a collection of scout badges... especially because I hc Arthur to have a competency kink, so finding out his boyfriend technically outranks him is a turn on. Don't tell me i'm wrong, you all saw the show. Arthur definitely has a thing for powerful people

[lak3flower]

Who needs shipping wars when you have ✨️ployamory✨️

[aceofwhump]

BBC Merlin 1x04 "The Poisoned Chalice"

[dragoncall]

[morganadeservedbetter]

Merlin: God, if only someone loved me… Arthur: standing behind them with a wedding ring roses Freya: holding box of chocolates Gwaine: has balloons Gwen: holding out a flower crown Mordred: has a card Morgana: bringing him special books Lance: literally just dropped everything he was doing because Merlin needed help carrying things Gaius: facepalms This is sad.

[jxmimac]

The whole show in 2 lines:

[cherrybomb-ed]

Gwen: merlin tried to murder you.

Arthur: nahh, he would never.

Vs

Merlin: your wife is trying to kill you.

Arthur: ok, what do we do?

[sunnyblaze29]

The more content I consume the longer this list gets why does this keep happening to me 😔

[mainez-noodle]

Let's go lesbians!!

( I should be listening to the class...

[tellmewhatyoudtake]

Trying out portraits

[otakufimi]

AAAAAAAH!!!

Just watched episode 2 of the second season of Merlin. I did not expect to ship Gwen and Arthur sooooo bad!!!

Also, Arthur has a type. Dark haired people who can and will stood up to him.

[patheticblorbloscholar]

Best sibling duo that blessed our screens and who we deserved more of:

[lucylichtenweg]

Merlin s1e3 rewatch

Merlin: It was me! It was me who used magic to cure Gwen's father. Gwen is not the sorcerer, I am!

Gaius: Merlin are you mad?

Merlin: I can't let her die for me. I place myslef at your mercy

Gaius: He doesn't know what he's talking about.

Merlin: I do.

Arthur: *disgusted face*

Uther: then arrest him.

Arthur: Father, please. I can't allow this. This is madness. There's no way Merlin is a sorcerer.

Uther: Did you not hear him?

Arthur: yes *buuuuut faaather tone*

Uther: he's admitted it.

Merlin: *yes I did face*

Arthur: He saved my life, remember?

Me: yesss play your cards well boy

Uther: why should he fabricate such a story?

Me: True Uther. True.

Arthur: *shit shit shit. Let me think*

Arthur: As Gaius said.. he's... got a grave mental disease.

Arthur: *ah yes, that was awsome!*

Me: yeah like Gaius when he tells Arthur Merlin is in the Tavern. The same brain cell.

Uther: Really?

Uther: *now it is getting interesting*

Arthur: *ok ok ok WHAT NOW?! Stay calm, stay clam*

Arthur: He's in love.

Arthur: *I'm fuckin awsome*

Merlin: *confused and can't anymore*

Merlin: what?

Arthur: with Gwen.

Uther: *ah yes, young love*

Merlin: I am not! *points his finger to be taken seriously*

Me: Sorry Merlin you like a small puppy that tries to bite.

Arthur: yes you are

Merlin: no way!

Me: Are they seriously fighting about a servant love life in court?

Arthur: I saw you yesterday with that flower she'd given you.

Me: Arthur are you jealous?

Merlin: *laughs nervous*

Merlin: *what the fuck is going on?*

Merlin: I'm not in love with her.

Arthur: it's all right, you can admit it.

Arthur: *side hug*

Uther: hmmm

Merlin: I don't even think of her like that.

Uther: perhaps she cast a spell on you.

Merlin&Arthur: *fuck fuck fuck.*

Uther: *laughts*

Me: now that ain't funny Uther!

Arthur: *ohhh it was a joke. Better laught*

Arthur: Merlin is a wonder. But the wonder is that he's such an idiot. There's no way he's a sorcerer.

Me: oh you be surprised. But you have time for that.

Merlin & Arthur: *intense eye contact*

Merlin: *seriously? Like come on man*

Uther: don't waste my time again. Let him go.

Merlin: *lookes around*

Merlin: *fuck it, I just go away*

Later

Merlin: he thinks he's so sharp! Even when I told him I was a wizard, he still couldn't see it!

Me: maybe he didn't want to watch you die Merlin?

Gaius: sometimes it's pretty hard to spot.

Merlin: Maybe I should go around wearing a pointy hat.

Gaius: I don't think you'd find one big enough.

Merlin: *wow that was a low blow*

Me: I love the episode so much. So many funny scenes and quotes.

[bramblebush3]

*the knights, Merlin, and Gwen telling stories*

Gwen: Hey Merlin, remember that time you tried to kill Arthur?

Leon: *dramatic flashback*

Leon: HOLD UP--